Meningococcal alarm

HEALTH officials yesterday confirmed almost a dozen Beef City workers had been treated with antibiotics to stop meningococcus bacteria spreading in the workplace.

The precaution was taken on Thursday night after a woman, believed to be a meat packer at the Australia Meat Holdings plant, was diagnosed with the life-threatening disease.

Doctors stressed, however, that although the disease was contagious, there was no risk to the public of it spreading through meat product. The company has refused to comment.

It was not known yesterday whether the Neisseria meningitidis bacterium the victim had contracted was of the "B" or more serious "C" variety.

She was in a stable condition at Toowoomba Hospital, but a spokeswoman declined to say when the woman was expected to be released.

Her case ? the fifth on the notifiable diseases database for the Darling Downs and South West region this year ? was confirmed by Darling Downs Public Health Unit medical officer Dr Neil Parker.

Dr Parker, also the unit's director, said he was not aware of talk that the woman had collapsed at work.

"We do have a confirmed case of meningococcal disease in a workplace and she's doing well," he said.

"I went out to the workplace yesterday and was involved in giving antibiotics to a limited group of people who worked the closest to her."

Dr Parker said the bacterium was spread by droplet, and workers who had spent more than 20 hours shoulder-to-shoulder with the woman were treated with oral capsules of Risampicin ? an antibiotic also effective against tuberculosis and multi-resistant staphylococcus.

"It is not spread through meat. It will die quickly in that environment. There's no chance," he said.

"And should the public be more concerned than usual? No. There's nothing different happening this year."